Best Camping in and near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

94% (110 reviews)

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Anza-Borrego Desert State Park adventure.

Bighorn sheep, badlands, and blooming wildflowers await in this desert park.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

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Public campgrounds in the park
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Stay at a public campground in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

88%

(16)

Tamarisk Grove Campground

26 sites · RVs, Tents In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Your campsite is just a short walk from the Borrego Palm Canyon Trailhead, which leads to a refreshing palm oasis.

95%

(94)

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

149 sites · RVs, Tents In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Vern Whitaker Horse Camp

1 site In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

from

$30

/ night

Top-rated campgrounds near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

95%

(192)

San Diego Mountain Lodge

47 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Santa Ysabel, CA

San Diego Mountain Lodge is a beautiful escape to nature sprawled out over about 40 acres on a breathtaking spot that we call Hideout Mountain in Santa Ysabel, CA. Multiple experiences are offered: -- glamping in our vintage camper trailers, -- RV sites with full hookups and incredible views of Lake Henshaw -- campsites, -- luxury camping in our remodeled cabins (studio, 1br, and 2br cabins) each with different amenities ranging from full kitchens, wood burning fireplaces, large outdoor decks and private fire pits. Gather and share ideas with fellow guests at our community firepit and picnic tables. What makes Hideout Mountain a magical place? #1 on the list are the stunning views as far as the eye can see of Lake Henshaw and the valley and surrounding mountains. We also have a one-of-a-kind, world renowned restaurant and bar on the property: Josie's Hideout Saloon, open on weekends with live music. We are located just a few minutes drive away from downtown Santa Ysabel and Julian, with easy access off Hwy 76.

93%

(1049)

Magical Harrison Serenity Ranch

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents67 acres · Palomar Mountain, CA

This land has been a community gathering space for the Native's Ceremony and Healing Space for over a thousand years. Feast your eyes upon the Matates and traces of the people that once gathered here so long ago.Upon the mid 1800's we had a Settler named Nate Harrison find this to be the ideal space, and he set up homestead here, and lived an amazing full life. He was to become the first African American to aquire land here in San Diego County, and his homestead remains to this day; studied by archaeology students to this day.Sensitive habitat and magic lies within our gates, and we must approach the mountain as we would any sacred space; with RESPECT.We welcome you to enjoy Nate's land and inspire who you are deep inside your heart.

98%

(43)

Hidden Falls Preserve

16 sites · Tents56 acres · Winchester, CA

This secret off-grid getaway on 56 acres gives stunning views at private tent sites with hiking, bird-watching, and wildflower-spotting. Relax in the shade of a eucalyptus grove, enjoy the sun shining over the sage scrub, enjoy the dark night, and find the hidden waterfalls. A short drive to Temecula, Diamond Valley Lake, and Lake Skinner, our private, scenic campsites offer both serenity and nearby activities including wine tasting, restaurants, hot air balloons, and paragliding. We are 100% off-grid with no hookups or water sources (yet), no showers (yet) in the middle of a conservation area. A significant portion of our proceeds goes directly to a local non-profit for habitat restoration efforts within the Conservation Area, and other bird study projects. We hope to attract campers that want an off-the-beaten-path type experience without having to go to the mountains.

91%

(66)

Native Falls Campground

54 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents25 acres · Temecula, CA

We are very glad you found us! Our hours are from 9am to 6pm everyday. Check in time starts at noon. Accommodations include fully furnished cabins, RV sites, and tent camping. The campground includes a lake with a waterfall, a sandy beach, lake toys, and catch & release fishing. Additional amenities include a Pickleball Court, shuffleboard, Pool Table, fire pits, picnic tables, hiking trails, and more!

99%

(1821)

Down-to-Earth Ecoshire

248 sites · RVs, Tents35 acres · CA

Private 35 acre Private Land Restoration Project surrounded by rolling hills, mountain views and open sky. The sunsets and sunrises are spectacular year round. Stars and open skies that you'd be hard pressed to find anywhere else in southern California. Just 15 minutes from Temecula wineries, 40 minutes from the alpine, artsy town of Idyllwild in the San Jacinto Mountains, and just 15 minutes from the 215 in Menifee toward Hemet. Best to visit from early autumn to lush springtime where we have great wildflower blooms. Cooperative managers Jim and Dawn host visitors who want to enjoy nature, participate in regenerative gardening all while off-setting their travel footprint. Fees go to our not for profit land restoration which includes planting trees, improving aquifers and enriching the soil. The property is a owned by a restorative co-op (turning a former illegal dump into an oasis of hope) where we invite you to participate in creative local solutions to our larger global problems. * If your group is larger than six adults, pease visit our group listings page. If your group needs special privacy and sound requirements and you'd like to reserve the entirer property, you will need to contact us directly. * Spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis. * Our visitor support pricing is $20 for the first person and $15 for all additional adults. Kids 6 - 12 are $5 per night. We don't want to charge for kids 6 and under, so do not include them in your booking. Thanks! * Campfire rings are only in common clearing, designated and permitted areas. Please check for seasonal fire restrictions.

99%

(386)

Campo Nopalito

7 sites · Lodging15 acres · Valley Center, CA

Welcome to Nopalito Farm! We’re so happy you’ve decided to spend some time on this beautiful property! In case you’re interested, here are a few interesting things about our farm. Nopalito Farm has been in operation since late 2014, but the property itself has been a working farm for over 50 years. Lemons and avocados were the primary crops from the 70’s through the 00’s, and are still prominent throughout our 15 acres. Our predecessors then diversified the growing operation by planting a wide range of fruit trees ranging from guavas and passion fruit to peaches and figs. For a decade, hops were grown on 2 acres and were sold to breweries throughout southern California. We’ve since replaced the hop yard with perennial flowers, but continue to cultivate a wide variety of delicious fruits.

98%

(25)

Dutchman Canyon

7 sites · Lodging, Tents150 acres · Dulzura, CA

This 150 acre slice of heaven contains an isolated private ephemeral stream that has run the last two years from January to July. Located down a narrow bumpy dirt road off of Highway 94 Dutchman Canyon is at 1300 feet above sea level, The temperature in Dulzura remains nice year round. There are many Oaks, Sycamores, Eucylptus, Pepper and Pine Trees on the property. The fire road has been cleared to the top of the grade and a slight ocean view is available down the Otay Valley Road view line for hikers or mountain bike enthusiasts. A hiking trail has also been cleared to a stand of Eucylptus trees on the hillside with a pond area at their base on the west facing slope. The Dulzura winery is located across the valley and we are only 1/8 mile from the General Store of Dulzura. The Tecate Border crossing to Mexico is 10 miles south of the property. Located a few miles west of Deer Valley we have deer in the canyon year round looking for fresh water from the ephemeral stream. A 19th century concrete cistern holds water year round at one location in the stream bed.

97%

(1229)

The Lovelight Ranch

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Desert Hot Springs, CA

The Lovelight Ranch is our 5-acre hippie paradise, centrally located in the Coachella Valley. We are near the amazing 1000 Palms Oasis and Coachella Valley Preserve for great day hikes and wildlife viewing, and also near the splendors of Joshua Tree and the high desert. We are happy to offer fun & relaxing activity Experiences such as the Tepee Sound Bath experience, DrumCircle and Didgeridoo experiences, Artistic Endeavor experiences. Sharing makes us Happy and we hope you will choose an Experience or two to enhance your visit and interests. We are within a half hours drive of Palm Springs, recently voted the hippest mid-sized city in the country and Coachella, home of the Coachella and StageCoach Festivals and not so far from the ever amazing Joshua Tree Festival . We are also very near Sam's Hot Water Spa, a chemical free hot springs soaking experience which is the perfect ending to a day of hiking, climbing or just sight-seeing. We have a Pool & Deck , A Horseshoe Pit, Nice Shady Hangouts and plenty to look at in every direction. We offer accommodations ranging from Elevated SkyDecks to SubTerrainian Glamping spots RV spaces as well as Basic Tensite camping . - Please check out our offerings for your Desert camping visits. Guests love staying here: "We had the most amazing time at Mikey’s place. Spiritual, reflective, and beautiful. The dogs and Rocky were the best! Mountain Views didn’t hurt (; we will definitely be back; Mikey was a welcoming and generous host. We stayed in Desert Isle and had a mystical time. You won’t regret staying here!"

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(205)

DragonflyHill Desert Farm

25 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents3 acres · Desert Hot Springs, CA

About Welcome to DragonflyHill Desert Farm & Wildlife Habitat where you can experience desert magic, starry skies, and natural mineral water from our private well. Remote enough for a quiet retreat yet easy to get to and only a short drive to amenities and outdoor adventures! Please review our rules and read our entire listing description prior to requesting to stay here, to assure we’re the right space for you. Copies of our rules, registration documents, liability waiver and amenities are provided in our photos. Guests must agree to adhere to our rules and honor our cancellation policy to book with us. If you have any questions, please make an inquiry and we will get back to you very quickly. We really do love this work. LOCATION: We are located one mile down a well maintained and navigable dirt road, 20 minutes to Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs and Palm Desert, and 15 minutes to the 10 freeway. We're near the Cabazon outlets, 2 hours to Los Angeles, San Diego, Disneyland, mountain areas, and beaches. Nearby there are local wildlife preserves, hiking and outdoor activities. We are 45 minutes to Joshua Tree and a half hour to Coachella. We truly are in the middle of nowhere and the center of everything. For folks traveling in winter, we’re considerably warmer than Joshua Tree and the High Desert. In summer we are cooler than Palm Springs. Immediate neighbors are small farmers and ranchers. Local spas and resorts are available for day use and access to their pools and ponds for as little as $10 a day ($5 seniors). We can provide space for events and entertainment for a small fee. ARRIVAL: Upon approving your reservation we'll send you a welcome message with information we need prior to your arrival to process your reservation, prepare for your arrival and provide you with check in information and accurate directions as gps apps to our location are often wrong. Please answer that initial email as soon as possible. We'll follow up with check in information and driving directions. Once in the gate, stay on the driveway and meet us on the patio with the blue shade sails. We will provide you with an approximately 15 minute orientation and tour, register you, check identification and show you to your campsite. Guests are required to fill out a liability waiver and a simple registration form. (See photos for copies of these forms.) OUR SPACE: Our land is 130 feet wide by an eighth of a mile deep in a residential neighborhood with lots 2.5-10 acres. We can see and hear our neighbors. We maintain a very quiet space but occasionally our neighbors have their own activities and events. Let us know if the neighborhood gets too noisy and we'll try to mitigate those situations. We can also provide free earplugs for those very rare occasions. Guests wanting a totally isolated experience may want to book elsewhere. DragonflyHill Desert Farm is a working farm in a wilderness area. Guests should check weather forecasts prior to arrival and assure that they have the right equipment. We have a moderate cancellation policy that allows guests to cancel 3 days prior to their arrival date to receive a refund. This allows enough time to check weather reports. There are occasional heavy rains and frequent high winds. It can get very hot in summer and reach freezing temperatures in winter. Despite our proximity to the freeway and nearby cities, and our location in a residential neighborhood, this is very much a wilderness area. DragonflyHill is not responsible for the weather. We are not a resort. Expect dry plants and patches during summer and into the fall. As a farm, we may be a bit more rustic than your typical farm to allow for shelter for local wildlife. Our cultivation methods encourage biodiversity and though we are growing food, many of our crops resemble landscaping or natural habitat rather than garden patches. Currently we have habitat viewing areas, an herb garden, an orchard, an outdoor classroom, a sheltered social distancing patio, an outdoor kitchen, meditation gardens, our (seasonal) mineral pool, community library, game boards and toys, and a tree bath. Plant varieties, wildlife and presentation may vary by season. Our farm specializes in herbs, fruit trees, desert and native plants, and edible flowers. We also grow some sprouts and microgreens indoors. We cultivate community and share what we grow with our neighbors and our guests. Guests have shared access to the outdoor kitchen and BBQ area, the orchards, gardens, patios, and grounds of the Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat, and (for safety reasons) limited access to the pool pond and spa -both unheated. The pool pond is filled with local mineral water from our own well. The pool pond is cleaned professionally twice a week & is chlorinated. The pool pond is not cleaned daily and is shared with wildlife. Debris from high winds and wildlife may contribute to the pool pond environment. Currently neither the pool pond nor the spa is heated. We also have wheelchair accessible hot water outdoor showers and wheelchair accessible porta potties. We work hard to keep the home well maintained & clean; we're vigilant & do due diligence with professional quarterly visits from Truly Nolen 4 Season Pest Prevention (a green company.) We doubt you'll see any unwanted critters inside or near the house or other structures during your stay, but if you do, please advise us & we will promptly address the situation. DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat is in a remote area of the desert with lots of wildlife. To help us keep wildlife OUT of the house and campsites, please keep food out of reach of critters & clean up after every meal. We affirmatively welcome children, but as this is a working farm in a wilderness area, parents will need to be vigilant of their child's safety and activity while here. We are constantly adding activities and features for children and adults. We are child friendly and we are a good location for groups. (Just message us with your details and we can tailor your stay to meet your needs.) We have 1 cat and 1 service dog. Other guests may have pets or assistance animals. Neighbors have chickens, farm animals and pets. There are a few feral cats in the vicinity as well as a variety of desert wildlife. At night you can hear the coyotes though we’ve never seen them or their tracks on our land. Common sightings of road runners, rabbits, hares, lizards, snakes, hawks, doves, desert wrens, migrating ducks (in the Spring), scorpions, mantises, crickets, mockingbirds, insects and spiders. WHO WE ARE: DragonflyHill is a community of artisans, activists, craftspeople and farmers, working together to cultivate community, develop methodologies for living and working together in ever increasing paradigms of social justice and sustainability. We are a safe and sober space that is disability and LGBTQIA affirmative, anti-racist, anti-sexist, anti-imperialist and de-colonialist, because anything else is just a bandaid. Core values of our work include attention to detail, fine craftwork and cultivating community. Some members of the Dragonfly Team live on the premises at all times and will be here for the duration of your stay. The rest of the team are community members. All Team members work at DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat in different capacities, in cooperation and collaboration with each other. It should be noted that we are not a museum community and our collective is not on display. Only 2-3 members of the community are currently responsible for hosting guests. Community members are autonomous and, much of our community functions virtually. There are also occasional community events at the farm, including farming, though many activities are just coming back after the pandemic. We hope to offer activities in the Fall. All activities will continue to be held outdoors and social distancing is required. We speak: English and Spanish. We can communicate somewhat in French, Italian and Portuguese. DRAGONFLYHILL CONSEIRGE We love to hear about your travels and share our knowledge of our community and Southern California with our guests. Our library, located on the Blue Patio, offers children’s books, local history including indigenous history, farming and gardening, wildlife guides, hiking trails, entertainment and tourist attractions. We can recommend activities on and off site including places to go with children, local hiking, museums, restaurants and shopping. In addition to campsites, for additional fees, we offer reiki, a private jacuzzi hot water mineral bath, farm tours, firewood, tutoring, tax preparation, vehicle storage, event and space rental, and classes. Three of us are licensed to officiate weddings. RULES, DOCUMENTS & AMENITIES Carefully read our listing description and our rules to determine if we're the right space for you. We know we have excellent reviews but take the time to assure that we offer what you are looking for. Each Hipcamp host is autonomous and has their own rules, amenities and features. Hipcamp does not provide guests a copy of the house rules until after you have selected a location and then requires you to agree to the house rules before finalizing your decision. There is not enough space in the listing description to include the rules so guests can see them prior to booking. If you would like to see our rules, registration documents or a list of amenities please find them in our photos or message us prior to booking and we will send you a copy. We welcome guests new to Hipcamp but please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Hipcamp platform. Hipcamp travel is very different from public campgrounds. At DragonflyHill Desert Farm and Wildlife Habitat you will be guests in our home. We welcome and encourage guests with service and support animals to stay with us. All animals must have current vaccination records.

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Saddle Up Camp

20 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Aguanga, CA

Saddle Up Ranch is a horse rescue that is ever growing. We have over 180 trees on the property (mostly beautiful flowing California Pepper Trees) and have gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains and horse pastures.We offer horseback riding, goat yoga, and goat milking. You can also volunteer and help care for the animals while you are here by feeding, grooming or simply petting them. TJ, our owner, is working her way through the race track. Our campsites are managed by Tony. He works closely with guests to expand our campsites. TJ and many of the guides volunteer hard hours to rehabilitate the horse and give them a good home. You should see how the animals flock to TJ. The ranch also has goats, pigs, chickens, dogs and cats. You can support our mission of rescuing horses by booking one of our horseback riding or other services! Thank you for your support! Guests love staying here: "Second stay and looking forward to returning again! <3 We were the only campers during the weekend, it was so serene. It gets very cold at night but the star filled skies are breathtaking. This time during our stay we had 3 kitty visitors and 3 dogs that rolled up to our camp multiple times, it felt like they were checking up on us. It was so cute. The sweet Aussie poked his head in our tent to say "you good?" haha It was so cute and they were extremely friendly and social! The black kitten stayed at our camp all night and cuddled on our laps by the fire. It was such a lovely experience. TJ and her crew have done an amazing job with this place, I don't have enough words to explain. Just see for yourself! You'll love it!! Can't wait to visit again!"

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(247)

San Diego Canyon Creek

5 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents1 acre · El Cajon, CA

Try out camping without having to rough-it! You can rent the Honeycomb Cabin! Or swing through for a safe place to spend the night in your van, or tent, while taking advantage of San Diego and all it has to offer! So much to be seen or done within 30 miles! You can plan a visit to the World Famous San Diego Zoo, Museums, Sea World, Birch Aquarium, Safari Park, Lego Land and more! San Diego county has wine tasting, breweries, theaters and eateries of all kinds. There are several beaches, mountain lakes, and even the deserts! You can skydive, or scuba dive, go deep sea fishing, or lake fishing, mountain biking, hiking, climbing, or walking the boardwalk! San Diego Canyon Creek is a small patch of woods, near a road, in a neighborhood. We are surrounded by rocky peaks, with a creek that most often runs year round! We have multiple species of song birds, owls, hawks, and other wildlife that live in this Riparian Habitat, with a chorus of frogs throughout the summer nights. It's a very short walk to the neighborhood park- equipped with several types of playground equipment and public creek access, or a five minute drive to a Crestridge Ecological Reserve containing multiple trails. We have three campsites and a cabin on about an acre of land. If you'd like to hang out on the property, we offer a table and chairs with each campsite to lounge in while enjoying the fresh air and nature. There are also a couple of hammocks available. In addition, our SHARED amenities include an outdoor kitchen that includes a sink with hot water, 2 mini fridges,(full at times, extra coolers available) coffee maker, a two burner stove, a griddle, a toaster oven, blender, tea kettle, and a few pans, plates, bowls, cups, and utensils. Also here to SHARE is a Propane fire pit and BBQ area. The bathroom now includes a flush toilet, sink and shower. We are continuously making improvements. Fun Fact: Harbison Canyon was named after John Stewart Harbison - aka the King of the Bee Keepers. He arrived with over one hundred colonies of bees in 1874 and within 7 years he became the world's largest honey producer! Today there are just a few bees in the area.

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(15)

Wandering Caboose Ranch

2 sites · RVs, Tents20 acres · Banning, CA

Wandering Caboose Ranch is the perfect getaway for nature lovers! We're located about 20 minutes from the Cabazon outlets, Morongo Casino and 25 minutes from Idyllwild! Come enjoy 20 acres of quiet green rolling hills and cool breezes. We have a designated hill top for your camping enjoyment. We can also provide a tent (fits up to 4 people) and queen size mattress if needed! Also included; BBQ grill, campfire, picnic table and lawn chairs. A camping toilet is on the campsite. Pets are definitely allowed, feel free to walk your dogs on our dirt roads. You can even stop by for a visit with our goats, ducks and chickens. At night, you won't want to miss the incredible view of the stars and the colorful lights of the Morongo Casino! Come see for yourself! Feel free to reach out with any questions. Happy camping!

The best camping near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park guide

Overview

About

Hidden away in the high-desert landscapes of Southern California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California’s largest state park. With twelve wilderness areas ripe for exploring and more than 600,000 acres stretching almost all the way to the Mexican border, this is the place for epic adventures. Venture off-road in the desert in a 4WD, hike through slot canyons and Badlands along miles of trails, and admire swathes of vibrant wildflowers, free-roaming herds of bighorn sheep, and dazzling star displays—Anza-Borrego is also an International Dark Sky Park. Camping is plentiful, too, with four developed campgrounds and eight primitive camping areas.

Notable campgrounds

Best for RV campers: Borrego Palm Campground has 120 campsites with space for up to 35’ trailers, some with full hookups.
Best for families: Tamarisk Grove Campground has back-in sites, some with full hookups, as well as cabin rentals and a camp store.
Best for a back-to-nature retreat: Fish Creek Campground offers primitive tent campsites close to the Wind Caves and Elephant Trees hiking trails.

Tips for snagging a campsite

You can reserve spots at three of the park’s developed campgrounds via the Reserve California website. Sites at Bow Willow Campground are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.
Online reservations open at 8am, six months in advance of the first night of your stay. With a maximum stay of seven nights, this means that reservations technically open six months and one week in advance.
Reservations are only possible from October 1 through April 30. For the rest of the year, sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Campsites can book up fast, sometimes selling out on the day that reservations open for holiday weekends, so book as soon as possible.

When to go

Summer temperatures are scorching in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the comparatively cooler months of October through April provide the best weather for hiking and outdoor activities in the desert. Time your visit to catch the spectacular displays of spring wildflowers that blanket the desert, often peaking around mid-March.

Know before you go

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is 73 miles east of San Diego, or about a 90-minute drive.
There are day-use fees for all California State Parks, and campsite booking fees also apply.
Facilities at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park include a Visitor Center, restrooms, picnic areas, a dump station, and drinking water. Dogs must be kept on a six-foot leash.
The desert weather can be extreme, with summer temperatures reaching 125°F and winter nights falling below freezing. Make sure you are fully prepared for camping and outdoor activities, and bring plenty of water and emergency equipment.